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Saturday, March 23, 2013

Whoever met Franziska Jägerstätter, "went away forever blessed " stressed the Diocesan Bishop Ludwig Schwarz of Linz on Friday evening in his homily at the Requiem for the wife of Blessed Franz Jägerstätter who has died at the age of 101. Bishop Schwarz celebrated in Linz's Mariendom, together with Nuncio Archbishop Peter Stephan Zurbriggen, Episcopal Vicar Maximilian Mittendorfer, Vicar Severin Lederhilger, Rector Ewald Volgger and former Abbot Berthold Heigl of Seitenstetten.

Schwarz recalled in his homily that Franziska Jägerstätter's life had for decades translated the message of Blessed Franz Jägerstätter to the present day. He praised Franziska Jägerstätter as devout woman "who set an example for all of us as followers of Christ" is. "She had a difficult life after the war, and kept always a happy heart. Whoever met her went away forever blessed," said the bishop.

Members of the Jägerstätter family and the parish of St. Radegund and faithful from all parts of the Diocese of Linz came to the Requiem. From the political world, Governor Josef Pühringer attended the church service. The sacristans of Upper Austria was well-represented with many members in the congregation, as Franziska Jägerstätter for 30 years held the office of sacristan in St. Radegund. (Cathcon- she took over this role from her husband in 1944)

Jägerstätter died on 16 March shortly after her 100th Birthday in St. Radegund. The funeral at which Cardinal Christoph Schönborn and the Innsbruck Bishop Manfred Scheuer are expected, takes place on Saturday afternoon in St. Radegund.